FIBA Players' Commission duo Screen and Gustavo rooting for Australia and Brazil

MIES (Switzerland) - Players' Commission members Jenni Screen and Roseli Gustavo have backed their respective nations as Australia and Brazil prepare for the FIBA Women's Qualifying Tournaments 2024.

Scheduled to meet in Belem, Brazil during the opening day of the competition on 8 February, both nations are aiming to make it to this year's showpiece Olympics Games and it looks to be an incredibly exciting matchup on paper.

FIBA Players Commission  member Roseli Gustavo

Now working together at the FIBA Players' Commission, both Screen and Gustavo know what it's like to attain success on the global stage and step out at the Olympics.

Screen won Olympic silver with the Opals at London 2012.

Screen played in the Final at Beijing 2008 on her debut at the event and then also scooped a bronze medal at London 2012. She is also a former Opal who knows how it feels to get the job done on Brazilian soil as she was part of Australia's incredible first and only FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup success in 2006. 

"It's going to be tough as the evolution of women's basketball worldwide is improving," warned Screen.

"We have a good record in Brazil with our FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup gold in 2006, but we know that Brazil is on the rise again and we know what they used to be when they were a powerhouse in the sport.

Serbia beat Australia in Brazil at the 2016 Games in Rio during the Quarter-Finals

"Serbia have beaten us before on the world stage at the Olympics and also at the World Cup. Plus, Germany are coming and they have got the FIBA Women’s Basketball World Cup in 2026.

Jenni Screen

She continued: "There are just no easy teams anymore and that is great for women's basketball. It makes me a little nervous, but I have full confidence that the Opals can get the job done and you will see us at the Olympics, where we will hopefully be pushing for a medal."

Meanwhile, Gustavo is also an Olympic Finalist, having won silver with Brazil in Atlanta during 1996 while balling on what was a spectacularly talented team. She is also a FIBA Women's Basketball World Cup winner, like Screen - picking up a gold medal at the 1994 edition of the tournament. 

Resurgent Brazil lifted silverware last year with the FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2023 title

She is hoping that the glory days are on their way back for Brazil and their record-breaking FIBA Women's AmeriCup 2023 success was certainly a positive sign - especially with MVP Kamilla Soares on board. Although it will not be easy in a tough-looking pool of teams for the tournament hosts. 

"It will be very difficult to qualify in this group with Serbia, Australia, and Germany," stated Gustavo.

"The fact that it is being played in Brazil will help them for sure and they do have a couple of players who really can make a big difference. 

"There is Kamilla Soares and also Damiris Dantas too, who is now playing basketball in the Turkish League. 

"I have watched Soares in a lot of games and she has improved a lot. She can truly make that difference and step up in this Qualifying Tournament from last year's FIBA Women's AmeriCup. 

"But it is important to also say that it is not just about those two, since the whole team is preparing well for this Qualifying Tournament and I really think they can make it," concluded Gustavo. 

 

 

FIBA